In short: sati, usually translated as mindfulness, means remembering and keeping present: staying aware of body, feelings, mind and mental qualities as they are. In the suttas it is one factor in the Eightfold Path (right mindfulness) and one of the seven factors of awakening, always supported by ethics, effort and concentration.
In the Buddha’s words
It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.
MN 10, translated by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0)
In the teachings
- The four foundations of mindfulness.
- Part of the Eightfold Path and the seven factors of awakening.
Practise
Mindfulness of breathing · what is mindfulness in Buddhism? · mindfulness vs vipassana
Common misunderstandings
- Mindfulness is not relaxation. Calm may come, but the aim is clear awareness of what is happening, pleasant or not.
- It is not only breath watching. The suttas also name body, feelings, mind and mental qualities.
- It is not judging. Notice first; the ethical work comes from the rest of the path.
Try this: for one minute, notice the next three breaths in full, then notice what the mind did in between.
Glossary: Buddhist terms · Pali pronunciation · the Eightfold Path
Questions people ask
What does sati mean?
Sati means remembering or mindful awareness: keeping something in mind, especially the present moment, with clarity.
Is sati the same as mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the usual English translation. In the suttas sati works with ethics, effort and concentration within the Eightfold Path, rather than as a stand-alone relaxation tool.
How do I practise sati?
By keeping attention on the body, feelings, mind and mental qualities as they arise, as in the four foundations of mindfulness.